NEWS
Greek community welcomes gay frat
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Nick Penzenstadler:
- For whom the bell tolls (November 29, 2007)
- New apartments for West Wash? (November 20, 2007)
- One-and-out: Kumar will not seek 2nd term on Dane County Board (November 15, 2007)
- Displaced Carroll residents call university, bookstore helpful (November 13, 2007)
- Carroll Street fire displaces students (November 12, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Frat to meet Latino needs (April 20, 2006)
- Whitewater frat gets suspension (September 1, 2005)
- Frat chef on Stewart show (April 20, 2006)
- 'Gay-friendly' fraternity starts up in California (February 23, 2006)
- National sorority files federal suit (April 9, 2007)
by Nick Penzenstadler
Monday, April 16, 2007
A gay fraternity is one step closer to becoming an official organization on the University of Wisconsin campus.
Delta Lambda Phi, which is currently classified as a "colony," is continuing its quest to become a recognized group by Interfraternity, which represents 26 fraternities and sororities on campus.
"I think it's a pretty good thing," said Eli Judge, Delta Lambda Phi treasurer. "I've been helping to get it started over the past year and a half. It's a wonderful addition to the Greek community and UW community in general."
Judge said the process for being adopted into the national fraternity is lengthy and follows the traditional rush, pledge, brother course.
Judge added that there has been a false perception that the Greek community has been unwelcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
"There are many LGBT students in the Greek community right now," Judge said. "It adds a different kind of culture."
Drew Willert, vice president of Interfraternity, said the organization needs to pitch itself to the council for inclusion. He said organizations begin as colonies for about a year and a half until the council votes whether to include them in the Greek System.
The fraternity currently meets in the Red Gym or Memorial Union every week, and Judge said it hopes to establish a physical base soon.
"Getting fully established is a short-term goal," Judge said. "Within a decade, we could maybe get a house. I hope they just get bigger and bigger and more inviting here on campus."
Willert was welcoming to the organization and said the group has already proven its involvement in the community and around campus.
As an established organization, Willert said Delta Lambda Phi members can form a support group like every other fraternity and sorority on campus.
"They're outstanding guys — it's people supporting each other any way they can," Willert said. "It's great they have support for each other and have a place they can go and be a part of a community."
Judge said the organization's inclusion of "progressive males" is often overlooked.
"One thing that's widely not known that Delta Lambda Phi includes progressive males, so straight guys can join, too," Judge said. "It just adds a different dynamic to a group."
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 2:45am):
"They're outstanding guys -- it's people supporting each other any way they can"
Nice!
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 4:02am):
Ashok Kumar was in Chi-Phi. Notice how they shut down.
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 7:18am):
As much as I'd like to believe it, are there really many LGBT students in the Greek community right now? Could these students please step forward or does anyone have statistics on this? (Making out with your sorority sisters does not make you part of the LGBT community) It would be especially interesting to hear which current sororitities/fraternities at UW are accepting of T students.
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 10:40am):
What percentage of the college population is 'T'? Now multiply that by 10%, the percentage of students in Greek Life. Maybe this is why you don't hear about tons of them in fraternities/sororities.
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 12:26pm):
I really like this piece for the most part. The DLP guys are an upstanding collection and greeks are really excited to be involved with them.
But what the hell, Penzenstadler:
Calling the IFC "Interfraternity" is the same as calling ASM "Associated," over and over.
You just sound like a freakin high schooler, in over his head, trying to sound like he knows what's going on.
Maybe read a webpage or two of source material before writing an article next time, mk?
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 1:32pm):
Gay students have been on the executive board of numerous fraternities, with two serving as Vice President of their chapters in the past few years. Maybe more, of course.
7:18, if you'd like to post your e-mail or name, I will contact you with more specific information!
-UW frat guy.
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 2:21pm):
...I'm in a frat and we have three gay brothers.
Nobody cares, they're just one of our brothers. It's not a big deal.
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 3:16pm):
IFC - Interfraternity Council
Anonymous (April 16, 2007 @ 8:39pm):
Nick, good article at least you present important stories with facts behind it.
Anonymous (April 17, 2007 @ 10:49am):
Gays shouldnt be allowed in
Anonymous (April 17, 2007 @ 12:08pm):
yeah learn how to interview people before you write your next story
Anonymous (April 24, 2007 @ 11:33am):
There are tons of LGBT students in the Greek community and maybe the reason you don't hear about them that often are because they don't feel the need to be picked out. The Greek system is nothing more than a huge student org and there are enough chapters that basically anyone who wants to be a member, can secure a bid.
Also, agreed on the reaming of the reporter. Interfraternity? Really?
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
